The 34th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is scheduled for March 17 at 1 p.m. in Abington. The 2.1-mile parade route begins at St. Patrick’s Square at the corner of Orange and Washington streets. Parade organizer Jack Bailey said that entries for the best car, best truck, best float, and best imagination contests must be received by March 8. Check the parade website at www.eddiebaileysgarage.com for details. Bailey said in an interview that the family-oriented parade, which started from a $10 bet in 1980, provides space at the front for office-holding politicians, but “those seeking elective office must march directly behind the horses.”